Okay, so I posted my facts-only, impartial, AP blog about the Kings vs. Canucks series. So now it’s time to be real. The Kings have arrived, ladies and gentlemen, and they ain’t yo daddy’s Kings.

It’s not “en vogue” to be a Kings fan any more. They don’t have any superstars, or players featured in cartoons. They aren’t the media golden-childs (golden-children?) and you won’t see any Kings players in commercials, unless you live in LA and need a used car.

I know the Kings are likely to be the first team you forget when trying to recite all 16 playoff teams. They aren’t even the biggest underdog story of the year; that goes to Phoenix or Colorado. The Kings are right in he middle. They’re right where they want to be.

But overlook the Kings at your peril Vancouver. These guys are tired of being overlooked and have waited 3, 4, even 5 years to step onto playoff ice. Worse yet? They don’t have the burden of expectation. They’ve exceeded expectations for this season and the rest is delicious gravy on a biscuit.

While the spotlights in Vancouver will be squarely on a pair of ginger-twins and a goalie whose name sounds like a pizza-chef, here in LA they will be pointed at some pop-singer flashing her cho-cha, or a deadbeat motorcycle mechanic cheating on his hot actress-wife. So the only thing pouring down on the Kings will be warm California sunshine.

The only people in L.A. focused on the Kings? Their fans. That’s right, we exist and that means the Kings will have thousands of people ready to hold them up instead of drag them down. The Kings have a devoted, educated, and die-hard fanbase that has stuck loyally by while the Kings trailed at the back of the pack. Now the time has come for them to surge forward like Apolo Ohno and send a pair of Koreans (Vancouver?) careening into the boards.

So this week I will proudly wear my L.A. Kings Jersey to work and explain to everyone they are not the same team as the Sacramento Kings. I will drink profusely and throw various snacks at the TV. I will yell until my neighbors think I’m murdering someone named “Alex Burrows”. I will watch my Kings check the Canucks until they are Black and Forum-Blue!

Go Kings!!!

(Please note that this post is not meant to offend, simply be taken light-heartedly.)

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Written by Eric Cooney
Eric Cooney was born in Pennsylvania, grew up in North Carolina, and lives in Los Angeles, CA. He shares his thoughts on the NHL as one man who is a northerner, southerner, east coaster, and west coaster. Follow him on Twitter @EricCooney

9 Comments

In response to “Let’s Cut The Crap…”

Great Article! I like the picture of Greene too, he has turned out to be a pretty decent d-man. In Edmonton he was more less of a big thug pilon but from the games I have seen him with LA he has been a punishing hard nosed defensive player.

I agree, and to be honest he is the type of player that is needed on the Hawks d-core, I guess Boynton is our guy for that if he draws in. One last thing, I noticed they played Bernier in goal a lot, was that just to get him some work or just no faith In Ersberg. I think Ersberg did get the last game but is he on his way out of LA? It sure seems like it and makes sense.

I think Bernier saw ice for a few reasons. First, Quick needed a breather. He was probably a bit overplayed in the middle of the season, which was reflected in the end of the season. It’s hard to gauge though with a guy who hadn’t played a full season yet. Second, despite their denials, I think that management wanted to see if they could rely on Bernier if Quick tanks come playoff time. Regardless of Quick’s great season, I think bernier is still the Kings goalie of the future, but with Quick around there is no need to rush Bernier. And yes, I think the writing is on the wall for Ersberg. He has great backup potential and I like him as a guy for a team that needs a lot of backup minutes, someone that doesn’t have a 70 game net-minder. I think the Kings will go with a tandem of Quick and Bernier next season, to see who takes the reigns.

LA didn’t exactly storm into the playoff scene. Since the trade deadline they have been unimpressive. Perhaps the grind of 82 and more is wearing on the young guys like Simmonds. I like LA’s team, but I think Vancouver has the premier team of the West and I think LA will exit early. Alas, LA can easily return and go deep next season. Of course, I could be wrong about all of that.